"The 92nd Annual Academy Awards" - My Predictions

It does not seem five minutes since Olivia Colman stole the show at last years Oscars, but the last 12 months have flown by, and here we are with the 92nd Annual Academy Awards.
As always, when the nominations were announced, there was the usual argument, about lack of diversity and gender. I will not add my own personal opinions here, as I will be dealing with those that are nominated. For me, as a big fan of both film, and the Oscars, I do not think that I can ever recall a more star packed category than that of Best Supporting Actor. And the funniest thing is, that two heavy weight actors like Tom Hanks and Sir Anthony Hopkins are the outsiders lol.

As usual for each of the main 8 categories I shall name the nominee who I think will win, and also who I would like to see win, Sometimes they will be the same, and sometimes they will differ.
Of the main 8, which garner a total of 44 nominations, as of typing this, I have seen 42, which I think is the best I have ever managed, so definitely in a good position to pass comment.

As usual, my list will consist of the following:-

Best Original Screenplay
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Director
Best Picture

So...let's get started, and the first category is....

Best Original Screenplay

At one point this was set in stone, but more recently a possible contender to steal Tarantino's thunder is "Parasite". But there is a lot of love for Tarantino in the Academy, and I think it is highly unlikely that he will bag Best Director, so if there is one opportunity to award him with an Oscar for this movie, then this is it.
And of the five nominees this is also the one that I would like to see win, and that despite not being a huge fan of the film.








Best Screenplay Based on material Previously Produced or Published

Another category that I don't think is straight forward to call. Like the above, I think at one point it was Steven Zaillian all the way for "The Irishman", but now for me that is doubtful. "Joker" could possibly bag it, as could Greta Gerwig for "Little Women", but I think that there is a good chance that Taika Waititi will prevail, despite mixed reactions to the film. And I would also be equally happy if it wins.










Best Actress in a Supporting Role




Given that Laura Dern has won most of the Supporting Actress Awards going, it is a fairly safe bet that she will be adding an Academy Award to her Trophy cabinet.

Is it the best performance? No, there is better work out there. One has to look no further than the brilliant performance from Oscar Winner Kathy Bates in "Richard Jewell".
I think that in the case of Laura it is honouring not only this performance, which is an ok one, but also her career as a whole, and her parentage.





Best Actor in a Supporting Role

This is a true veterans category, with all five actors having been previously nominated for Academy Awards, and four of this years nominees have been past winners.
Whilst I do not necessarily think that Brad Pitt gives the best performance, I do think he will win, and to be honest, I would be equally pleased to see him win, as he has given some wonderful films and performances over a 30+ year career. I think that it is safe to say that it is his time.



Best Actress in a Leading Role

I think after last year, I have been a little twitchy with some predictions, especially as everyone thought that Glenn Close was a near certainty for Best Leading Actress, and we all know what followed, although if anyone was going to nab that Oscar last year, it was going to be Olivia Colman.
I think I can say that I am on safer ground by declaring that Renee Zellweger will take the honour for her amazing work as Judy Garland, and YES , she does deserve it. Truly oustanding.


Best Actor in a Leading Role

Much has been said of the film "Joker", whether you love it or hate, which does seem to be the extent of peoples emotion on this movie, most consensus is that Joaquin Phoenix gives a brilliant performance. And yes I do think it is very good....but Oscar worthy?  No, not for me, but it pains me to say that I think he will win.






Of all the categories that acting talent has been snubbed, for me this is the big one, as both Eddie Murphy and especially Paul Walter Hauser should both have been nominated. I do question whether Jonathan  Pryce should have been included, its a nice performance but not enough to warrant a win or a nomination. Similarly I think the same of Leonardo DiCaprio.
But as to who I would prefer to see win, well that is easy to answer. Antonio Banderas for his career best Performance in "Pain And Glory".


Best Director

Some time ago, it was safe to say that the one film that was going to dominate the Oscars was "The Irishman" including a 2nd Best Director Oscar for Martin Scorsese. I think it will be a 2nd Oscar but for Sam Mendes for his brilliant work on "1917".

I know I have already said that "Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood" is not my favourite Tarantino movie, but I would so love to see him awarded a Best Director Oscar, and he is long overdue, and given what we know, there may not be many more opportunities.




Best Picture

Again this year we have nine nominees, which certanly makes for a more interesting evening, as a film you would normally not expect to win could slip through, given that the votes are spread over a greater number of films. For me, that is the only way that "The Revenant" did not win Best Picture a few years ago, surely the biggest Oscar crime in recent memory. Yes, more so than "Brokeback Mountain".

For me, there are 3 films that I feel, whilst being good, do not deserve a Best Picture nomination.

For the technical achievement, and given what the story is about, I feel that "1917" will take the top prize. I would say that it is not set in stone, not like some of the acting awards, so we could certainly have an upset here. But I think it will win the top prize.
On a personal level I hope it does also, as I have a decent wager on it winning said prize.

Of all the nine films nominated, and I have been fortunate to see them all, the one that I felt that was the Best Picture, that told the best story, and from start to finish took me on the best journey... it is no contest. It has to be "Le Mans '66".













So just to recap, here are my thoughts on what I think WILL Win

Best Original Screenplay - "ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD"
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published - "JOJO RABBIT"
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - "LAURA DERN"
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - "BRAD PITT"
Best Actress in a Leading Role - "RENEE ZELLWEGER"
Best Actor in a Leading Role - "JOAQUIN PHOENIX"
Best Director - "SAM MENDES"
Best Picture - "1917"

It was a pretty slick show last year without a host, though I have to say I do miss an opening monologue. When you look at the magic from the likes of Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Billy Crystal, it is a shame we don't at the very least get to enjoy some choice words about Hollywood.

Well, here is to the 92nd Oscars....